Improvement in coffin-handles



R. J. HOWDON. Coffin-Handle.

No.21'7,3s1. A Patented luly 8,1879.

UNITED STATES ROBERT J. HOWDON, OF CINCINNATI,

OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CINCINNATI COFFIN COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN COFFlN-HANDLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 217.381, ated July 8, 1879; application filed Y May 9, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. HownoN, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Handle for Coffins; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, which will enable others skilled in the art to which the invention appertains to make and use it, reference being had to. the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved handle applied to a coffin. Fig. 2 is a reverse perspective view of the handle; and Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same.

Similar letters of reference denote the same parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the construction of metallic handles for coffins it is desirable to make them as light as possible consistent with strength, and to impart to them an ornamental finish. This has been done in a variety of ways, such as casting the handle in two parts, which are afterward joined together, thus leaving the handle hollow, or in using but one hollow part or shell, which, when swung down against the side of the coffin, has the appearance of a solid handle. The first method is objectionable on account of its cost and added weight, and the second is defective because when the handle is grasped to lift the coffin and its contents the sharp edges of the shell out and bruise the hand.

My invention is designed to avoid or overcome both these objections, and to produce a handle which shall be light, strong, and ornamental in appearance, and with its exterior surfaces continuous, so that it can be grasped Without hurting the hand, and which at the same time shall be much cheaper in cost of production than the tubular handle, and practically as light as the half or shell handle.

To this end the invention consists in combining, with the half or shell handle, a filling of wood, sheet metal, cork, rubber composition, or other light substance, which shall fill the hollow space on the back, thus completing the surface to be grasped, and so that when the handle is applied to the coflin the filling shall be concealed, and only the ornamental front exposed to view.

In the accompanying drawings, A repre sents the handle to be grasped, cast in the form of a shell, with the hollow portion extending nearly or entirely the length of the back, and with its front portion ornamented externally in any design by stamping, moldingyor engraving.

The arms B of the handle are cast on wires orrods of iron to strengthen them and form pintles, by which the handle is hinged to metal earsC affixed to the coffin, as shown in Fig. 1.

It will be observed that this method of forming the handle leaves two sharp edges, d d, on its back between the arms B B, which edges will cut the hand when the handle is grasped to lift the coffin. To remedy this defect I fill the hollow space between the arms with a strip of wood, E, securing it in place in any convenient way, but preferably by nails through the upper edge of the metal, as shown ff- The outer surface of the filling lies flush with or projects a little beyond the edges of the handle, thereby forming a continuation of its grasping-surface, and preventing the edges from cutting or otherwise hurting the hand.

Any other light substance may be used for the filling instead of wood, such as sheet metal, cork, rubber composition, &c., the essential requisites being that they shall not materially increase the weight of the handle, and shall form a continuous grasping-surface. By allowing the filling to project but a short distance the handle lies closer to the coflin, and the filling prevents the metal from scratching or injuring its polished surface.

other-articles,'but I design to use it specially upon-coffins, burial caskets, cases, &c.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is A handle for coflins and other articles, consisting of the metallic shell A, having a back filling, E, of wood or other light substance, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of April, A. D. 1879.

ROBERT J. HOWDON.

Witnesses RANKIN D. J oNEs,

JOHN G. RoBIsoN, Jr.

The handle may, of course, be applied to 

